Whether conducting research in the social sciences (especially history), humanities, arts, or natural sciences, the ability to distinguish between primary and secondary source material is essential. Basically, this distinction describes the degree to which the author of a piece is removed from the actual event being described. Is the author reporting impressions first hand from personal experience, or is the author conveying the experiences and opinions of others—that is, second hand?
What is a Primary Source?
► A firsthand, eyewitness account of an event or time period
► Usually written or made during or close to the event or time period
Primary Source Examples:
What is a Secondary Source?
► Offer a secondhand account, review or a critique of an event or time period
► Usually written well after the event that is being researched
► May analyze, describe, or restate information in primary resources or other secondary resources.
Secondary Source Examples:
When evaluating primary or secondary sources, the following questions might be asked to help ascertain the nature and value of material being considered:
Ultimately, all source materials no matter what type must be assessed critically, and all works describe events as scene through the eyes of the writer/interpreter. This must be taken into account when one is attempting to arrive at the 'truth' of an event.